Hi ,
The November 8 election is upon us and there are some critical referendum questions on the ballot this year. I'll share why I'm voting for them and answers to some common questions I received while canvassing door to door. I hope you will join me in canvassing for these questions during the final 2 weeks before election day on November 8. Below is info on how to vote for the November 8th election. Finally, I will be co-hosting a fireside chat (with s'mores, hot chocolate, and cider) at the growing center tomorrow at 7pm-9pm! |
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Question 1: The Millionaire's Tax, the Fair Share Amendment This question is about two things: - Raising revenue for transportation and education and
- Making our tax system more fair.
The most common issues I hear about as your Rep are: the failures of the MBTA, the horrible state of roads in Somerville, and our crumbling schools (Winter Hill School, Brown School, Cummings School, and Edgerly). This didn't happen overnight, this is the outcome of decades of austerity and neglect from lack of funding. Massachusetts has cut taxes more than any other state except Wyoming and Alaska since 1977. While roads and schools are managed by the city, cities are unable to raise this revenue beyond raising property taxes, which is simply not a progressive or fair way to collect taxes. As such municipalities rely on the state government to raise revenue.
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The second issue is that our tax system in Massachusetts is upside down, it systematically makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. The less you earn, the more you are paying in state and local taxes. It is immoral and unfair. Below is a graph on how this works. |
We currently have a flat income tax that is fixed at the same percentage regardless of your income. This is mandated in our constitution. What most people expect (or assume) is that as you earn more, you should pay a higher share. In Massachusetts we do the complete opposite because of the flat tax requirement and because other forms of taxation are far more regressive. Sales tax and property tax disproportionately burdens low-income people over very wealthy people and are the largest drivers of an unfair tax code.
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Here are some of the common questions I have been asked about this tax. If I didn't answer your question in this newsletter, Mass Budget Policy Center has a very comprehensive FAQ here. |
Will this hurt small businesses?
This is a tax on personal income, not businesses, corporate tax is a separate tax. As such, individuals of a small business must earn over $1 million a year to pay the tax. Selling a business is similar to selling a home, it must appreciate by over $1 million, which is rare for a small business. In addition, it's very unlikely that this tax will be applied because the business owner can split the sale across multiple years to avoid paying the tax.
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Doesn't government need to manage the T better rather than spend more money?
This is a "both and" problem: yes the T needs better management and yes the T, our roads, and schools need more investment and money. The T shut down in August because of long overdue repairs, estimated to be worth $10 billion in 2019. This is a massive jump from the $3.2 billion backlog 10 years earlier in 2009. The backlog is growing and requires us to raise a hell of a lot more revenue to fix it. This estimate doesn't include roads or schools across the state which likely even larger than the backlog in T repairs.
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Question 4: For Safer Roads, Drivers Licenses for All Residents
This law will allow any resident who has passed a driver's test to obtain a driver's license. It has been a top legislative priority for our immigrant communities for decades. Simply put, if you are able to drive, you can get a driver's license and insurance. This law also makes everyone safer because everyone on the road is insured, drastically lowering hit-and-run crashes. 17 other states already have this law, some states have had it for decades, and have shown that our insurance premiums are expected to decrease as well. It's a win win win for everyone.
This law was voted favorably already with 3/4 support of the legislature. A YES vote ensures this law remains our law.
One question that has come up is around whether non-citizens will be able to vote. This is simply not true. Currently, if you are in the US on a student visa, you can get a driver's license in Massachusetts but you cannot vote. These are separate systems with safeguards in place, narratives about voter fraud is still a myth. |
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Canvassing for Question 1 and 4
I cannot emphasize enough how important these ballot measures are for our community and our future. Both are the outcome of decades of hard work by activists and advocates. If either of these questions are voted down, I can assure you things are going to get much worse in Massachusetts before they get better. From my perspective as your State Rep, a defeat of these questions sends a strong signal to Beacon Hill that voters want more austerity and oppose progressive legislation. All of the issues I ran on and that you voted for when you elected me will be much harder to accomplish in the years, if not decades, to come. I don't want to live in that world or ask myself "what could I have done differently?" on the morning after election day. Please join us for canvassing, events are posted online here and here. I am canvassing everyday and launching canvasses every weekend day until November 8! Email me if you're interested in volunteering but can't make the events posted on the campaign sites.
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Fireside Chat
Join us tomorrow from 7pm to 9pm at the Growing Center on 22 Vinal Ave for s'mores, campfire (approved by the fire department, woohoo), hot cocoa, and cider! All of your elected officials from Ward 3 will be there including Senator Pat Jehlen, Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, and School Committee Member Sarah Phillips. Hope to see you there tomorrow at 7pm! |
How To Vote Early In Person
Early voting has already started! You can vote in person during the following times: - Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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Friday, Oct. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
All in-person early voting will take place in the Council Chambers at Somerville City Hall at 93 Highland Ave. On Election Day
For those who prefer to vote on Election Day, polls will be open Tuesday, November 8th, from 7AM – 8PM. Note that redistricting and reprecinting have occurred since the last election and your polling place may have changed. Check your polling place before heading out by using the link below. |
By Mail
If you have already applied to vote by mail, you must return your completed and signed ballot no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8th. You must return your ballot through one of the following methods: Drop Box*
Voters can use one of the drop boxes located around the city to return their application or ballot. Drop boxes are located at: - City Hall concourse, 93 Highland Ave.
- East Somerville Community School, across from 68 Glen St.
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In front of the Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.
- In front of the Somerville Community Baptist Church at 31 College Ave.
- In front of the West Somerville Neighborhood School at 177 Powder House Blvd.
*If you are placing your ballot in a ballot drop box, it must be placed in the box no later than 5 p.m. on Election Day so that there is time to collect boxes before polls close at 8 p.m. City Hall Voters can return applications or ballots directly to the Elections Department in City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Mail
Voters can return applications and ballots by sending them to the Elections Department, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. However, if your ballot is not received by 8pm on November 8th, your vote will not be counted. As such, we strongly discourage voters from dropping their mail in ballots in the mail and instead drop them in the drop box or at your polling place on election day. Polling places on Election Day
You can also drop off your mail-in ballot at any polling place on election day. Find your polling place here. |
It is truly an honor to serve you all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with your thoughts and questions about the budget, if you want to advocate for any bills, or need any help from government services. |
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